Youth Services

Lane County Youth Services mission is to reduce juvenile crime through coordinated prevention and intervention programs that hold justice-involved youth appropriately accountable; provide restorative, rehabilitative and treatment services for youth and their families using evidence based best practices and data driven decision making; promote healthy family interactions; prevent, reduce, and resolve family conflict; protect victims’ rights during all phases of Court proceedings; and safeguard our communities.

Lane County Youth Services (YS) provides assessment, probation, training, counseling, and detention services for all youth, ages 12-17 years old, referred by local law enforcement because of criminal behavior. It is the branch of Lane County government responsible for services to youth accused of law violations or judged delinquent by the juvenile court. YS is funded from the Lane County general fund, along with some state and federal grant funding for new programs.

The Juvenile Court is an arm of the Oregon State Circuit Court system and is housed at the department. YS is staffed by groupworkers and counselors specializing in juvenile corrections. YS staff are county employees and are all experienced in working with troubled youth. The department is organized into units: Administration, Detention and Custody, Food & Nutrition, Mediation & Restorative Services, MLK Education Center, Phoenix Treatment, and Supervision. Lane County Youth Services is located in the Juvenile Justice Center building on the John Serbu Campus.